Pinrail

 

"A belaying pin is a solid metal or wooden device used on traditionally rigged sailing vessels to secure lines of running rigging. Largely replaced on most modern vessels by cleats, they are still used, particularly on square rigged ships.

A belaying pin is composed of a round handle and cylindrical shaft. The shaft is inserted into a hole in various strategically located wooden pinrails (lining the inside of the bulwarks, surrounding the base of masts, or free-standing, called fife rails) up to the base of the handle. A line is then led under and behind the base of the pin then round the top till at least four turns are complete.” — Wikipedia

Knockabout

 

"The replica Virginia was commissioned by the Virginia Maritime Heritage Foundation and built, with about $5 million in state and federal funding, by Tri-Coastal Marine in Norfolk, Virginia. She was completed in 2005. She is a gaff rigged knockabout schooner, meaning she lacks a bowsprit; her headsails can be handled and furled from the deck." -- Wikipedia

Schooner

 

Have you ever been to Yorktown, Virginia? I don't mean the battlefield where Cornwallis famously surrendered his forces to George Washington. I'm referring to the town and, even more specifically, to its wharf. Actually, it had been a long time since I visited there, but I recently got news that the Schooner Virginia was going to be docked there for a couple of days and so I made sure I was there as soon as it dropped its gangway.

BOS to PHL

 

Logan International Airport (BOS)

Boston Harbor

Approaching Philadelphia (PHL)

Congregational Church

I've passed by this church many times before and admired what appears to me to be its quintessential New England architecture. This time, on the Fourth of July, I finally stopped to take a couple of photographs.

 

Skywatch

Linking to Skywatch

 

Mares' Tails

 

It's odd how even though I know that the world is growing warmer, I'm feeling colder in the winter. Maybe it's age, or anemia, or maybe I just need some warmer clothing. Maybe, too, yesterday's clouds had something to do with it. I understand that these so-called Mares' Tails only occur at very high altitudes where temperatures range between -50 to -40 centigrade! Just the thought of temperatures that cold sends shivers down my spine. Brr!!

Red Sky

 

Linked to Skywatch Friday

Clouds

 

Linking to Skywatch Friday

Thunderstorm

 

Skywatch

 

Linked to Skywatch Friday

Spree

 

Berlin, Germany

Guten Morgen!

 Made it! My first time back to Berlin since '72. And my first ever arrival at Tegel.

May also be my last, since there are plans to close by 2020-2021.

Maidin Mhaith II

 

I'm just imagining the Irish folk down there just waking up to their . . .

bowls of Irish oats. Iontach!

Maidin Mhaith!

 

As all of you know who have ever flown internationally from the east coast of the United States to Europe, flights often leave late so that they can arrive at their destinations early the next day. 

I guess this works best for most of the folks taking those flight. 

One of the advantages to this flight was being able to watch the sun rise over Ireland.